Ana Hol

Etransformation guide: An online system for SMEs

Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are struggling to eTransform and implement required Information and Communication Technologies. This research investigates how best companies, in particular SMEs, can track, measure and guide their eTransformation journey. eTransformation in this research is seen as the ability of the companies to implement appropriate technology and successfully carry out their business operation. The study conducted with 17 SMEs helped identify four main Dimensions of eTransformation namely: Strategy, Structure, Tasks and Processes and Information Technology Tools and System. In addition, the study pointed out Dimensions’ Characteristics across various stages of eTransformation. Findings of the study helped develop an online system, The eT Guide, that SMEs can now use to track, guide and monitor their eTransformation journey.

Dimensions of eTransformation

Todays businesses, particularly small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are having problems finding and implementing the most optimal information and communication technology (ICT) for their organizations. The processes needed to find and implement technology require organizations to learn how best to make use of the ICT and eTransform. Research however indicates that a successful eTransformation is not only influenced by ICT factors but also by non ICT factors. The aim of this study was to identify factors that influence eTransformation and map them into eTransformation dimensions. Our research confirms and literature reviews highlight that eTransformation is a Multidimensional Process. To identify dimensions influencing eTransformation we studied a process of how 17 SMEs from the NSW metropolitan region adopted ICT. Our findings indicate that eTransformation happens across four Dimensions in the following order: strategy, structure, tasks and processes and IT (information technology) tools and systems.

Proposed business model for SME farmers in peri-urban Sydney region

Literature indicates that SME (Small to Medium) farmers in peri-urban Sydney, Australia region are faced with uncertainties when selling their produce. Majority of farmers sell produce via agents, some sell produce via markets however in either case farmers do not get the full overview or the transparency of the expected market demands and prices. To identify if a suitable business model could be proposed, a carefully selected group of five peri-urban farmers has been studied in detail. Results indicate that through collaboration and networking farmers would be able to get a comprehensive overview of the markets and the digital-eco-system. In addition it is expected that this would further allow farmers to sell their produce via both traditional sale mediums as well as new more enhance mediums of the digital era.

System Level Analysis of How Businesses Adjust to Changing Environment in the Digital Eco-System

Today, in the Information era businesses live in a dynamic environment where decisions need to be made quickly as otherwise they would not be able to survive. To investigate how businesses adjust to changing requirements in the Digital Eco-System we used the Cynefin Framework and its dimensions. Through a review of the literature, it was identified that there are two distinctive types of organisations: task-based and process-based. Although, in reality the majority of organisations these days fit somewhere in between. Furthermore, we found that organisations which are more process-based adapt to environmental changes more quickly than those that are task-based. Therefore, to be able to act quickly and make decisions in the Digital Eco-System task-based organisations are encouraged to eTransform and become process-based.

Fine Dining Restaurant Framework Development and Survey.

The goal of restaurant owners is to maximise their incomes through satisfying the whole needs and experiences of their diners. This is usually done through a modern point of sales (POS) system. However, with the large number of POS on the market with abundant array of features, very few research has been done on the usability and effectiveness of these systems and their features. Our research investigates POS systems reviews each of their features and then aims to find similarities that have the most impact, and are essential to the day to day processes of existing fine dining restaurants using these POS systems. This paper aims to determine which features of POS systems are most crucial for the decision making in specific restaurant situations.

Social Computing: New Pervasive Computing Paradigm to Enhance Triple Bottom Line

Recent technological advancements such as cloud computing, broadband connectivity, two-way communication enabled by web 2.0, and frontend devices as smartphones has enabled a new pervasive computing paradigm termed Social Computing. In this paper we have derived a Structural Model, Multistage Causal Model and an Overall Interaction and Information Flow Model to understand how Social Computing paradigm can enhance the triple bottom line. The key to success of new business models known as peer economies, sharing economies, market economies or knowledge economies is the ability to establish trust amongst online users as well as online users and the system. The trust is a characteristic that emerges within a user based on previous experience with other users and the system. Trust is also transitive. The Multistage Causal Model showed us a way to generate this trust via a series of interactions and exploiting the transitive property by aggregating the individual experiences. The structural model showed us the essential structural elements of a Social Computing application required to support the behaviour depicted by Multistage Causality Model. Overall Interaction and Information Flow Model showed us by providing information in a systematic way how user interactions can be facilitated and by captured user interactions further information can be generated towards building the trust. When user reaches a sufficient level of trust to offset perceived risks associated when dealing with a stranger, business transactions take place to enhance the triple bottom line. This deeper understanding will enable businesses to design a successful Social Computing application to fulfil a specific need.

Context Specific, Networked and Feedback Enhanced eTransformation Business Model

Businesses have been transforming for centuries. Each era of civilisation brought in new innovations and new technologies. Today we find ourselves surrounded by devices, services and applications that in some form utilise technology. Individuals, utilise it to be more productive, groups exchange and manipulate data using it and businesses run their day to day operations. Consequently, technology is been implemented to speed operations, be more reliable and crate new revenues. Based on the scenario analysis of five new businesses which utilise transformed renewed business model, this study investigates technology factors that drive new business models and identifies roles that current technological advancements play in shaping the new models. The study highlights that there is a direct relationship between open access technology platforms and current technology trends. Furthermore, this study identifies that for the new business model to be established definition of the specific domain problems and the importance of the access to the resource networks, such as the network of context specific knowledge, either experts, or the individuals with knowledge and skills who can provide timely context specific solutions and network of those who have interest in a the specific context domain are paramount for the model to succeed.

A Sustainable Farm system for Peri-urban Sydney SMEs

Past studies indicate that Small to Medium farmers in peri-urban Sydney, Australia region are forced to operate in a very linear fashion and therefore are strongly dependent on a single system actor, known as the ‘Agent’ to sell their produce. This study aims to identify if and under which circumstances, Sydney farmers could have resources that would allow them to no longer have to depend upon any single system (ie. The Agent). This research identifies that in order to remove single actor dependency, the Sustainable Peri-urban Farm system, would need to allow farmers to receive inputs and feedback from both natural and manmade systems and vice versa. The well integrated, Sustainable Farm system, would create a base where farmers could receive resource and coordination instructions from the Environmental and Biological Systems while systems like Communication, Health, Market, Transport, Education and Agri-tourism Systems would help farmers support and nurture new collaborative business ventures and opportunities.

CRM for SMEs

Today in the Information era, business’ communication with their customers strongly depends on how quickly, responsively and accurately a business is able to respond to customers’ queries, needs and demands. Conducted case study analysis of five small to medium enterprises (SMEs) identifies that SMEs require a system that would allow them to keep a record of their customer contact details; monitor communications they have with their customers about orders, products and services offered; and track and act upon customers’ queries and feedback so that they can maintain a strong link with past customers and through these data develop knowledge about how best to market to the new ones. Based on the analysis of the SMEs requirements and the data available about the existing customer relationship management (CRM) systems, we have developed a prototype SME–CRM.

A case study approach: eT Guide - assisting the eTransformation journey

eTransformation, the ability to select and implement appropriate Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) based on companys goals, objectives and operations is essential for the businesses today. This paper identifies how an online system - eTranformation Guide (eT Guide) allows companies especially Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to track, measure and guide their eTransformation journey. In particular this paper outlines how three companies from different industry sectors namely: Manufacturing - Staircase Design, Service - Finance and Accounting Services and Tourism and Hospitality - Boat Cruise have travelled the eTransformation journey over the period of last year. Furthermore, the study highlights that eT Guide Recommendations are important indicators to the companies in terms of identifying into which Dimension they should be investing into next and what changes they should be making for the future benefits of their eTransformation journey. Moreover, the findings also benefit the research community that is investigating how best companies can undertake the eTransformation journey.